Kids only at Ajax-AZ rematch

10 January 2012 06:46

Children will be the only fans allowed to watch a Dutch Cup rematch between Ajax and AZ Alkmaar after an incident in December when a fan tried to assault AZ's goalkeeper, the Dutch football federation (KNVB) said Tuesday.

The federation's decision comes after an Ajax fan ran onto the pitch during a December 21 tie in Amsterdam and tried to assault AZ goalie Esteban Alvarado.

"The Dutch Cup match on January 19 in the Amsterdam Arena will be played in the company of children," the KNVB said in a statement on its website.

"It has also been decided that access will only be given to children under the age of 12 to impress the educational nature of the match," it added.

The KNVB initially decided that the match should be played behind closed doors but said Tuesday it had changed its mind "on request from Ajax."

The December 21 incident led to the Costa Rican 'keeper being red-carded for twice kicking out at the fan, who was then escorted off the pitch by police.

AZ coach Gertjan Verbeek led his players off the pitch following the incident complaining about the lack of security at the Amsterdam Arena.

The last 16 tie, which Ajax had been winning 1-0, was subsequently abandoned just before half-time.

The fan, later identified only as "Wesley van W." was on December 29 sentenced by a Dutch court to six months in jail.

He will serve four months of the six-month sentence, with the remaining two months suspended for two years, Dutch media reported.

Ajax initially requested woman and children be allowed to see the match, but the KNVB turned down the request on women, saying it clashed with Dutch equality laws.